A plate of golden Earl Grey cookies with a cup of tea on a rustic table.

Earl Grey Cookies Recipe That’ll Make You Feel Fancy AF

A Cookie That Thinks It’s Royalty (Because It Kinda Is)

You know those moments when you want to feel classy but also want to shovel cookies into your mouth like it’s a competitive sport? Yeah, same. That’s where these Earl Grey cookies come in. Imagine your favorite buttery shortbread got cozy with a fancy cup of London Fog, and they had a love child. That’s this cookie. Elegant, fragrant, and absurdly easy to make.

If your cookie jar had a posh British accent, it would 100% be filled with these.

Why These Earl Grey Cookies Deserve a Spot in Your Life

First off, flavor. We’re talking delicate bergamot (aka the real MVP in Earl Grey tea), blended with rich butter, a touch of vanilla, and just enough sweetness to make your eyes roll back a little.

Second, they’re embarrassingly easy. Like, mix, chill, slice, and bake kind of easy. No piping bags. No frosting drama. No soul-crushing clean-up.

And finally—they impress people. Serve them at brunch? Fancy. Bring them to a cookie exchange? Everyone wants your recipe. Snack on them in sweatpants while watching reality TV? Living your best life.

Ingredients You’ll Need (AKA Your Ticket to Cookie Royalty)

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp loose-leaf Earl Grey tea (or 4 tea bags, snipped open)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Substitutions?

  • No loose tea? Use bagged. Snip, dump, done.
  • Vegan? Sub with plant-based butter (just chill the dough extra).
  • Gluten-free? Use your fave 1:1 GF flour.

Tools & Kitchen Gadgets Used (Amazon Cart, Here We Come)

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Silicone spatula
  • Plastic wrap or parchment paper (for chilling the dough)
  • Sharp knife or dough slicer
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
  • Cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions (Because You’re About to Nail This)

Step 1: Blitz the Tea

Toss that Earl Grey tea into a spice grinder or food processor. You want it ground up fine like fairy dust. No one wants leafy bits stuck in their teeth.

Step 2: Mix It Up

In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and your now-fancy ground tea. Set it aside.

Step 3: Cream That Butter

In another bowl, beat the cold butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and mix again until your mixture looks like frosting you want to stick your face into.

Step 4: Combine Dry & Wet

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the buttery goodness. The dough will look crumbly at first. Keep mixing. It comes together like a dream.

Step 5: Roll and Chill

Divide dough in half. Roll each into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Overnight? Even better.

Step 6: Slice & Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice chilled dough into 1/4-inch rounds and place them on the sheet with a little space between each.

Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until edges are just starting to turn golden.

Step 7: Cool, Then Pretend You’re at High Tea

Let them cool on a rack before taste testing one…or five. Serve with tea. Or coffee. Or wine. No judgment here.

Calories & Nutritional Info (Roughly Speaking, Because Math)

  • Calories: ~130 per cookie (based on 24 cookies)
  • Fat: 8g
  • Carbs: 14g
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Fiber: Basically none, it’s a cookie, not a salad

Common Mistakes to Avoid (Because You’re Better Than That)

  • Overmixing the dough – It should just come together. You’re not kneading bread.
  • Skipping the chill time – The dough needs to firm up or your cookies will spread like gossip.
  • Cutting uneven slices – If you want them to bake evenly, keep those slices uniform.
  • Using salted butter – It messes with flavor balance. Just don’t.

Variations & Customizations (Fancy Schmancy Optional Add-ons)

  1. Citrus Zing: Add 1 tsp orange or lemon zest to the dough for a fresh kick.
  2. Chocolate: Dip cooled cookies halfway in dark chocolate and let them set.
  3. Ketosis Swap: Sub flour with almond flour and use a sugar-free sweetener. (Note: Texture gets crumblier but still relish!)

Earl Grey Cookies FAQ (Because Google Said So)

1. Can I use Earl Grey tea bags instead of loose-leaf? Yup! Just snip ’em open and measure out 2 tablespoons. Easy-peasy.

2. Do I need to grind the tea leaves? Highly recommended. Unless you like chewing your cookies. (No judgment.)

3. Can I freeze the dough? Totally. Freeze logs for up to 3 months. Thaw slightly before slicing.

4. Why is my dough crumbly? It probably just needs a little more mixing. But don’t overdo it, or you’ll wreck the texture.

5. Can I make these without a mixer? Sure, just use a strong arm and a wooden spoon. And maybe a shot of espresso.

6. How long do Earl Grey cookies last? Stored in an airtight container? About a week. Hidden from family? Maybe two days.

7. What do Earl Grey cookies taste like? Like buttery shortbread with a subtle floral, citrus twist. Basically, a classy tea party in your mouth.

Final Thoughts (And a Slightly Pushy Nudge)

So there you have it. Earl Grey cookies that are simple, elegant, and low-key addictive. Bake a batch, pour yourself a cuppa, and pretend you’re royalty for a few minutes. Or, you know, just binge them while watching Netflix. Both are valid life choices.

If you try them, tag your pics or drop a comment—I want to see your cookie magic! And let’s be real, after these? Store-bought who?

Similar Posts